Travel Insurance

More than likely, if you’re going to get into an accident on vacation, it will be in a strange place, so traveling without travel accident insurance is rather foolish. Travel accident protection will allow you to re-coup your nonrefundable trip deposits, payments, emergency evacuation costs, medical costs, loss of baggage and belongings and journey delays. Having travel accident insurance only makes sense if you’re traveling far way from home usually out of the country.

When you buy travel accident insurance, you are going to want to be very careful to ensure that every item is protected. Many travel accident insurance contracts will state in large letters that everything is covered; however you want to take the time to read the small print and make sure that what the large print promises, the small print delivers.

It is worth the effort in order to ensure your peace of mind that you do some research to see what kinds of travel and medical indemnity is available on your budget. You may or may not get travel accident insurance from your travel agency. And that’s okay. What you want to want to do is to research on the Internet to find the best travel accident insurance for you. There are a number of websites where you can find all kinds of information about travel accident insurance and make comparisons as a consumer to find out which will work best for you.

You will also want to check with your existing health insurance provider so that there is a proviso that states that some of the medical expenses you may incur when you are out of the country or out of your state will be covered by the travel accident policies which can provide a complete service. Depending upon the options you’ve picked it should include an emergency air ambulance. You want to make sure that the contract and policy that you’re buying covers more than just medical expenses. It should also cover other inconveniences like stolen or lost luggage, canceled or delayed flights and reimbursement for tickets.

There can also be other situations where your baggage has been delayed and that should also be covered by the plan. A clause in their for fully extensive 24 hour emergency medical assistance should be included. When you get the policy, you will also want to check to see whether there’s any provision for overnight hospital benefits, because overnight stays in hospitals in Canada and the United States usually run about 100 bucks a night.

Traveling In Tanzania

Tanzania’s currency is called a Shilling. It can’t be imported into the country. so if you’re planning on traveling to Tanzania on safari, you need to bring foreign currency with you. Right now, US dollars are the best currency with the Euro and the Great British Pound coming in second and third. With US dollars, it’s best to carry larger notes like $50 or $100 dollar bills, because you get a better rate of exchange. When you carry the lower denominations like the US $1 dollar, they are difficult to get rid of, except when you use them as a tip. If you plan to pay for safari with cash, try to use large dominations whenever possible to avoid any penalties.

You might want to remember that travelers’ checks are only accepted by banks and travel bureaus. They also bring a lower rate of exchange, and you can run into somewhat of a hassle dealing with them. It is better to keep travelers checks to a minimum or avoid them altogether. MasterCard and Visa are now widely accepted, whereas five years ago, you might have had a problem. So, if you have plastic, you can use it as much is you want. Just remember, if you want to get a cash advance against your credit card, you want to do this at the bank because many hotels charge a heavy fee for the privilege.

Of course, you will be traveling with the passport. However, in Tanzania, you need to get a visa as well. You can get a visa in advance from the Tanzanian embassy, or you can purchase them at border posts and airports. Be aware that there is a departure tax when you leave by air, but it may be included in your ticket price. In either case, you will want to check ahead of time.

Kilimanjaro airport can be expensive to fly into especially during peak season. It’s usually cheaper to go to Nairobi airport, then transfer countries by taking buses and shuttles that will travel to Arusha near the Namanga border post. You can get a transit visa at Nairobi airport, and it will last either 5 or 7 days. If you get visas upon arrival in Kenya and Tanzania they must be paid in US dollars in cash. Be sure and have the correct amount ready, so you’re going to want to call ahead to find out what that amount is. It’s called the Tanzania holiday visa, and it varies in price depending upon your nationality.

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Must-Know Tips For Traveling To Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of those international cities that have a vast number of tourists who come from all over the world all year long. The Hong Kong government has statistics that indicate that the number of international tourists who visited Hong Kong in 2006 reached over 10 million, which is about a 13.1% increase when compared to years before. Tourists are coming from everywhere, including: Australia, France, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States to name a few. There are some critical traveler’s tips that tourists need to be aware of so that they can enjoy their vacation without getting into trouble.

Safety first. Tourists should always carry a valid identity card like a passport during their stay in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has a low crime rate but it is densely populated, so you don’t want to carry a huge amount of cash. When you go out shopping, you will want to use credit cards and travelers checks wherever possible. Lock up your expensive items in the hotel safe, and when you’re on the street quickly find a policeman if you encounter any problems.

Restaurants. There is a service charge that will be added to the bill when you eat in most restaurants in Hong Kong as a result. You may want to give out service tips for the taxi driver or the bus boy. However, there is no preset form when it comes to service tips, so you can choose to give out whatever you want based on the service that you receive.

Telephone service. It is free unless you use the public telephone, which charges a Hong Kong dollar for every five minutes use. Unlike America, where an emergency call is 911, in Hong Kong. it’s 999, and it’s free even if you use a public telephone. If you choose to call long distance, you can use your credit card or telephone card. or you can simply call the operator. If you use a public telephone, you will need to call collect.

Water. When it comes to the drinking water, Hong Kong’s water passes the World Health Organization’s standards. You may, however, choose to buy bottled water in the supermarkets, if you have a sensitive stomach.

Taxi service. When taking taxis in Hong Kong, be aware that they only accept cash, and they will print out an invoice upon request. It is much easier to catch a taxi at a designated taxi stop or outside of your hotel. Taxi drivers, by and large, can understand simple English; however, it is advisable that you write down your destination in English to avoid any misunderstanding.

Tips For Traveling To European Countries: Albania

When you are traveling to Europe, you may miss Albania as it is not the largest country by any means. It is local lore that Albanians can trace their ancestry to Illyrians.

Culture

Before you travel to another country, it is important to understand the differing cultural norms that may be the exact opposite of what you are used to. In Albania, if one shakes there head from side to side, that will indicate an affirmative answer, while up and down denotes a negative. If you are greeting another, you would shake hands as is traditional in most countries.

The dress code is casual. Ladies should dress modestly unless the situation requires it, as in a bathing suit when going swimming. If you plan on going to see a friend who lives and is from Albania, it is customary to bring a token of your thanks for their hospitality, but unlike some countries, flowers are not a suitable gift. If you are addressing a gentleman of the country, you should use Zoti, and when addressing his wife, Zonja.

How to get around the country

If you are staying in the city, you can catch public transportation by way of bus or taxi for a minimal fee.

For those that are a bit adventurous, you can try a cable car ride through the Dait Oark on the way to Tirana. You will travel for about four kilometers and will pay only six fifty euros. You may also hire a luxury yacht that is fully staffed. You may visit the Tirana Bank where you can do all your currencies exchanging and can access your bank account through your Visa check card or credit card.

Dining

You may want to bring a sweater when dining out as indoor heating is not always available in restaurants. There may be a price difference between what a regular customer will be charged and what you will be. This may also hold true for any shopping you are planning to do for souvenirs.

Wilderness Sites

For those who enjoy more natural settings Albania offers some exquisite areas for most outdoors sports and activities such as canoeing, hiking and many others.

Accommodation

Most of us travel on a budget, but if you do not and want the best accommodation in Tirana, you can stay at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers which offers five star service and is located city center making it accessible to every activity you would enjoy in Tirana. If you would rather not stay in the city, you may choose to go a bit more rural by staying at the Hotel Mondial which offers all the conveniences with a more traditional décor and architectural design.